Loudoun County Fair 2024

4-H Club and County Exhibitor Requirements

All Exhibitors
□ Exhibitors must be enrolled in their respective Loudoun County 4-H clubs via 4-H Online
by January 1st, 2024.
□ Exhibitors must complete 1 County Level Fair Qualifier Activity prior to July 1st of the
current Fair year. Please visit http://loudoun4h.weebly.com/county-level-fair-qualifier-
activities.html to see the official list of Fair Qualifier Activities.
□ Exhibitors of all animal projects must submit an online Animal Project Declaration form
prior to the form’s listed deadlines. The online form(s) can be accessed at:
https://tinyurl.com/4-HDeclaration24.
a. NOTE: 4-H members whose project animals are housed somewhere other than
their home address must also have the housing location’s farmer/caretaker
complete the supplementary form found here: https://tinyurl.com/4-
HFarmerDeclaration24.
□ Exhibitors who are planning to auction animals at the Fair must attend a Youth for the
Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification workshop prior to the start of the Fair. If the
YQCA workshop attended was not held in Loudoun County, 4-H members must present
their completion certificate to 4-H Extension Staff.
□ Each exhibitor showing at the Fair AND one of their parents will be required to attend a
pre-Fair cleanup meeting with the Fair Superintendent and Fair Staff. This meeting is to
perform cleanup activities, review policies, rules and expectations of youth and adults
during Fair week. If a family does not comply with this rule, the exhibitor will not be
permitted to exhibit or show at the Fair. If the exhibitor is over 18, their parent is not
required to be at the meeting.
□ 4-H members must complete a project book for each club they are enrolled and active
in. Completed project books must be turned in to the Extension Office by 5:00pm on
Friday, October 4, 2024 and must receive a 75% minimum score (red ribbon) in order to
show at the following year’s Fair. Even if the 4-Her does not show at the current Fair, a
project book must still be submitted in order to qualify to show that species the
following year.
a. Members are considered active if they are officially enrolled in a club and have
attended at least 3 of that club’s meetings between October 1, 2023 and
September 30, 2024.
□ Cloverbuds must complete the above requirements, with the exception of the project
book.

1. All exhibitors are responsible for compliance with the Loudoun County Fair Rules and all
club and county requirements specified for their projects.
2. Exhibitors must abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct and IAFE Code of Ethics (IAFE National
Code of Show Ring Ethics (adga.org)) at all times. Poor sportsmanship can result in
forfeiture of all premiums and/or awards.

Page 1 of 7
 3. Exhibitors are required to keep their exhibit area, pen, aisles in barns and areas around
the barns clean and neat at all times. They are responsible for cleaning their own pens
and feeding/watering their own animals, with minimal assistance from immediate
family.
4. Exhibitors will be responsible for cleaning their exhibit area and feeding and watering
their animals by 8:30am each morning. Evening feeding and watering times will be
established by the club leaders.
5. Exhibitors are required to be present and to take care of each of their project animals
during Fair week. Failure to abide by this rule will result in a $300 fine. Such exhibitor
will not be permitted to show in subsequent Fairs until the fine is paid in full. Exceptions
to this rule will be considered on an individual basis. A written request for exception
must be submitted to the Agriculture Superintendent
(agsuperintendent@loudouncountyfair.com) and Fair Superintendent
(superintendent@loudouncountyfair.com) at least 14 days prior to the start of the Fair.
The Agriculture Superintendent will notify the requester and his/her club leader(s) in
writing of the decision rendered.
6. Protective footwear must be worn at all times. Open-toed and/or open-heeled shoes
are not allowed. All exhibitors must dress appropriately while showing their projects at
the Fair. Clean clothing, with no holes or writing, must be worn. All shirts should be
tucked in and have a collar. Club shirts are also permitted. Leather shoes or boots are
highly recommended and no hats or chewing gum are allowed in the show ring.

Alpaca & Llama Club

1. Exhibitors must attend at least 50% of club meetings from October to July of the current
4-H year. For a member’s attendance to count, the member must sign in and be present
within 10 minutes of the start of the meeting. If there are verifiable extenuating
circumstances (traffic delays, etc.) club leaders can waive this rule.
2. Exhibitors are required to participate in at least 1 Alpaca & Llama Club fundraiser and/or
sponsorship goals during the club year.
3. Exhibitors are required to participate in at least 1 community service activity during the
club year.
4. Exhibitors must attend a minimum of 10 farm visits/work sessions and have the farmer
sign off on the number of visits/work session attended. All farm visits/work sessions
must be completed prior to the start of the Fair.
5. Exhibitors must participate in at least one of the following: (1) a solo project and
presentation about an alpaca/llama related topic (i.e. anatomy, fiber), (2) a group
project and presentation about an alpaca/llama related topic (i.e. anatomy, fiber), or (3)
a young entrepreneur project.
6. Exhibitors must have their project book 70% done and approved by a club leader prior
to the start of the Fair.
7. Exhibitors are expected to participate and aid the Alpaca & Llama Club during the Fair
and adhere to assigned schedules. This includes helping with Fair and club activities,
working the ice cream shack, working in the barn, monitoring alpaca and llamas’ health
during assigned stall duty, cleaning stalls & refreshing feed during their shift, greeting

Page 2 of 7
 the public and answering their questions, and participating in and leading scheduled
educational presentations and demonstrations.
8. Parents are encouraged to participate and help their children as much as they can
throughout the Fair week (i.e. ice cream shack, gate duty, and alpaca/llama stall duty)
and during pre and post Fair clean-ups.

Beef Club
1. All exhibitors must attend 50% of the club meetings from October through July of the
current 4-H year. If a club member is more than 10 minutes late for a meeting, the
member will not be counted as present.
2. All exhibitors must participate in at least 1 community service activity by July 1. Club
leaders will outline requirements.
3. All exhibitors must participate in at least 1 fundraising activity by July 1. Club leaders will
outline the requirements. In lieu of the required fundraiser, an exhibitor may acquire a
club sponsor for the Fair.
4. Project books must be 70% complete in order to show at the Fair. They will be checked
at the July meeting by a club leader.
5. During Fair week, all exhibitors are required to work a Beef Club ice cream shack shift
and assist with the Beef Club dinner. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of
premiums.
6. Parents of exhibitors are strongly encouraged to assist with clean up after the Beef Club
dinner.
7. All beef exhibitors selling market animals are expected to assist with preparation and
clean-up of the show pavilion and beef barn before and after the livestock auction.
8. At the conclusion of the Fair, all exhibitors must participate in the Fair clean up in order
to receive their premiums.

Canterlopes Horse Club

1. Exhibitors must be positive representatives of the club at all times while on the
fairgrounds.
2. In order to show in the Gambler’s Choice Mounted competition, all exhibitors must:
a. Meet the horse declaration deadline put forth by the State Show Committee
b. Attend at least 3 meetings between Jan. 1 and the County Fair
c. Meet General Fair & Extension qualifications, including submitting the Animal
Project Declaration
d. Help with Gambler’s Choice setup and/or help with the Gambler’s Choice
competition the day of the event
3. In order to show in the Gambler’s Choice “Stick Horse” (unmounted) competition, all
exhibitors must:
a. Attend at least 3 meetings between Jan. 1 and the County Fair
b. Meet General Fair & Extension qualifications, excluding the project book
requirement
c. Help with Gambler’s Choice setup and/or help with the Gambler’s Choice
competition the day of the event

Page 3 of 7
Dairy Club
1. Exhibitors must attend at least 50% of club meetings between December and July of the
current 4-H year.
2. Exhibitors are required to participate in at least 1 club fundraiser or 1 community
service activity during the club year.
3. Exhibitors must sign up for the required number of cow duty shifts prior to the start of
the Fair.
4. All exhibitors are required to work a Dairy Club ice cream shack shift as needed and
assist with the Dairy Club dinner.
5. A parent or guardian must be present at the cow duty shift of any exhibitor under the
age of eighteen. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate and help their
children as much as they can throughout the Fair week (i.e. ice cream shack duty, club
dinner, gate duty and cow duty).
6. Exhibitors must arrive each morning at the designated time to clean and care for their
animals.
7. Exhibitors are required to interact with the public, monitor cows during their assigned
cow duty and clean up after the cows during their shift.

Poultry Club
1. Exhibitors must attend 50% of club meetings from October to July of the current 4-H
year.
2. Exhibitors must participate in 1 community service project by July 1st in order to show at
the Fair.
3. Exhibitors must participate in 1 fundraising event for the Poultry Club in order to show
at the Fair.
4. Exhibitors are expected to volunteer for (and perform) an equal share of work during
the Fair to aid the 4-H Poultry Club. This includes:
o Club and Fair activities such as working the ice cream shack or any fundraising
activities
o Working the barn by greeting the public, monitoring poultry and answering
questions
o Participating in Poultry Club demonstrations
5. All exhibitors and at least 1 parent from each family are expected to volunteer for the
chicken dinner. Duties include: food preparation, supply/food purchasing, serving,
selling tickets, cooking and clean up. Failure to meet these expectations will result in a
loss of premiums.

Rabbit & Cavy Club

1. Exhibitors must attend at least 50% of club meetings or clinics since the time of
enrollment.
2. Exhibitors must participate in 2 club or county-sponsored community service activities
and 1 club-sponsored fundraiser.

Page 4 of 7
 3. Exhibitors are required to participate and aid the Rabbit & Cavy Club each day during
the Fair. This includes Fair and club activities, such as working the Ice Cream Shack, gate
duty, cleaning in the barn area, greeting the public and answering their questions,
monitoring rabbits’ health, and participating in educational presentations.
4. Exhibitors must help with the required fairgrounds clean up before and after the Fair or
make approved arrangements with the Fair Superintendent for a special exception.

Sheep & Goat Club

1. Exhibitors must be active club members in good standing.
2. Exhibitors must attend at least 50% of club meetings from October to July of the current
4-H year. In order for a meeting to count, the member must sign in and be present
within 10 minutes of the start of the meeting. Arrival after 10 minutes from the start of
the meeting will not count and the member will not be allowed to sign in.
3. All senior exhibitors (age 16+) are required to give an oral presentation at a club
business meeting.
4. Exhibitors are required to participate in at least 1 Sheep & Goat Club fundraiser and 1
club-sponsored community service activity during the club year. These events will be
announced at the December meeting. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of all
Sheep & Goat Club premiums and prize awards.
5. Each exhibitor must secure 1 sponsorship by the second Fair clean up.
6. Project books must be up to date (75% complete) and checked before you bring an
animal to the Fair. Project books will be checked and signed on the goals page at the
regularly scheduled July club meeting. It will be the exhibitor’s responsibility to make
sure it is 75% complete by the time of signing. The front page of the project book will be
signed at the September club meeting.
7. Exhibitors must be at the Fair at least once in the morning and once in the evening to
care for their animals. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of any prizes or premiums
awarded by the club or the member’s show eligibility for the next Fair year.
Consequences will be handled by the Agriculture Superintendent and the club leaders.
Exhibitors are encouraged to stay at the Fair as much as possible during the week to
look after their animals and participate in club and Fair activities.
8. All exhibitors are required to work a Sheep & Goat Club ice cream shack shift. Penalty
for failing to do so may result in forfeiture of all sheep & goat premiums. If a Sheep &
Goat Club member cannot help with ice cream shack due to scheduling conflicts or
health reasons they must complete an alternative assignment assigned by the club
leader. It is strongly encouraged that these members seek out a Sheep & Goat Club
leader for their alternative assignment early in the Fair week.
9. All exhibitors are required to help keep the sheep and goat areas clean. This includes the
aisles in front of the sheep and goat pens in the green barn and the area in the vicinity
of the entrance/exit to the show ring. Additionally, members will need to make sure the
scales and area around them are cleaned in the Swine Barn after weigh-in.
10. Exhibitors intending to sell at the LCF Livestock Auction must compose a minimum of 5
buyer letters for prospective buyers. A list of addresses and a copy of the letter must be
given to the club leader(s) at one of the pre-Fair clean ups. Exhibitors who fail to provide

Page 5 of 7
 their letters will forfeit their right to sell a goat and/or sheep at the LCF Livestock
Auction.
11. Exhibitors are required to hand copies of auction thank you letters addressed to their
buyers to club leaders by the post Fair clean up. Failure to fulfill this requirement may
result in forfeiture of all Sheep & Goat Club premiums and/or prizes.
12. Exhibitors are required to sign thank you cards to the club’s sponsors for their support.
Failure to attend or make arrangements with the leader(s) to sign these cards may result
in the forfeiture of all Sheep & Goat Club premiums and/or prizes.

Sprout Horse Club

1. Exhibitors must be positive representatives of the club at all times while on the
fairgrounds.
2. In order to show, all exhibitors must:
a. Meet the horse declaration deadline
b. Attend at least 3 meetings between Jan. 1 and the County Fair
c. Have 2 club points
d. Meet general Fair & Extension qualifications

Swine Club
1. Exhibitors must attend 50% of the Swine Club meetings throughout the current 4-H
year. If a member is more than 10 minutes late to a monthly meeting that meeting will
not count.
2. Each Swine Club member will be required to participate in at least 1 fundraiser during
the year.
3. All exhibitors must participate in at least 1 community service activity by July 1. Club
leaders will outline requirements.
4. Each exhibitor must obtain at least 1 sponsorship.
5. Project books must be 70% complete prior to the July meeting before the Fair.
6. Exhibitors must participate in ice cream shack duty during the Fair.
7. Every exhibitor must help with the BBQ dinner. If the aforementioned duties are not
fulfilled, the exhibitor will forfeit premiums.

Temple Hall Club

1. Exhibitors must attend 50% of club meetings between October and the Fair of the
current 4-H year. In order for a meeting to count, the member must sign in and be
present within 10 minutes of the start of a meeting.
2. Exhibitors must have the project book pages listed under “Project Work” done and
approved by a club leader prior to the start of the Fair. The project goals page must be
complete by the January club meeting.
3. Exhibitors must complete 8 farm work sessions.
4. Exhibitors must complete 8 project animal work sessions with their show sheep prior to
the Fair. You must get farmer permission for any overlap between a farm work session
and a project animal work session (limited to two).

Page 6 of 7
 5. Exhibitors must have given a solo or small group presentation to the club prior to the
Fair.
6. Exhibitors must meet the fundraising goal set up and voted on by club members.
7. Exhibitors must participate in at least 1 club community service activity.
8. Exhibitors must complete project work and service activities as specified below:
o Project Work
 Complete all total (sheep and non-sheep) work sessions at host farm
 Complete the following sections in the Project Book by the last Fair
Clean-up date and obtain a leader signature:
• Project Planning and Goal Setting
• Animal Care and Management
• Farm Work Session Learning (October – June)
• Sheep Information (with current work dates)
• Feed Tag Information
• 1 PAR
o Service
 Work a shift in the ice cream shack at Fair

4-H Extension Staff reserve the right to interpret all requirements and
rules to resolve situations which may arise and are not restricted by
the lack of a requirement or rule. They have the right to amend
requirements and rules at any time.

Page 7 of 7